Tell me about the Madalena do Mar - Levada Nova - Canhas - Anjos levada walk in Madeira
💭 Thinking
The user is asking about a specific levada walk: "Madalena do Mar - Levada Nova - Canhas - Anjos". Let me search for this trail in our hikes database.The search didn't return any results. This trail might be a community/unofficial trail rather than an official PR trail. Let me try searching with different terms, and also try searching near Madalena do Mar.The user asked about "the Madalena do Mar - Levada Nova - Canhas - Anjos levada walk in Madeira." This specific trail wasn't found in the official IFCN PR trails. However, in the community trails results, there's one called "Arco da Calheta - Sítio do Pinheiro via Levada Nova" which mentions Levada Nova. The user's query specifically mentions "Madalena do Mar - Levada Nova - Canhas - Anjos" which is a specific route name.
Let me search more specifically for this trail.The user is asking about a specific trail called "Madalena do Mar - Levada Nova - Canhas - Anjos" which is a levada walk in Madeira. This specific trail doesn't appear in the official IFCN PR trail list, but I found some relevant information from the web search.
From the search results, I can see this is a community/unofficial route that goes from Madalena do Mar along the Levada Nova through Canhas and Anjos area. Let me also check if there's an AllTrails listing for this specific route.
Looking at my find_hikes results near Madalena do Mar, I see some community trails related to the area but not the exact "Madalena do Mar - Levada Nova - Canhas - Anjos" route specifically. The closest match from the community trails is "Arco da Calheta - Sítio do Pinheiro via Levada Nova".
From the web search results, I can gather:
- The Levada Nova in this area (near Ponta do Sol / Madalena do Mar) is a non-PR (unofficial) trail
- It's often combined with Levada do Moinho as a circular route
- The walk passes through valleys, waterfalls, and includes a tunnel
- There's exposure (narrow paths with drops) in some sections
However, the specific route "Madalena do Mar - Levada Nova - Canhas - Anjos" appears to be a longer version that starts in Madalena do Mar, follows the Levada Nova through Canhas and ends at Anjos (which is near Ponta do Sol).
Let me look more carefully at what I found. The blog post from "paradies-goes-madeira" mentions Sítio do Pinheiro on the Levada Nova, with routes going toward Canhas. The Salt in Our Hair blog talks about the Levada do Moinho & Levada Nova loop near Lombada/Ponta do Sol.
This specific "Madalena do Mar - Levada Nova - Canhas - Anjos" route is NOT an official IFCN PR trail. It's a community/informal route that people piece together from different levada paths. I should be clear about this.
Let me also check if I can find a video of this walk.
Actually, I have enough information to give a good answer. Let me compose it now.
The key points:
1. This is NOT an official IFCN PR trail - it's a community/informal route
2. The Levada Nova in this area runs along the southwestern coast from Madalena do Mar through Canhas toward the Ponta do Sol area
3. The route passes through valleys with agricultural land, banana plantations, and offers views of the ocean
4. Some sections have exposure (narrow paths, drops) and there may be tunnels
5. There's no official open/closed status maintained by IFCN
6. If they mean the combined Levada Nova + Levada do Moinho loop, that's also an unofficial route near Ponta do Sol
Let me also consider finding a video for this trail.Let me synthesize what I've gathered. The user is asking about the "Madalena do Mar - Levada Nova - Canhas - Anjos" levada walk. This is NOT an official IFCN PR trail - it didn't appear in the official hikes search. However, from the web search results and AllTrails community data, I can piece together information about this route.
From the web search results, this appears to be a longer route that combines multiple levadas:
- It goes through Madalena do Mar
- Follows the Levada Nova
- Goes through Canhas
- Passes by Anjos (which is near Ponta do Sol, known for the Cascata dos Anjos waterfall)
The "Arco da Calheta - Sítio do Pinheiro via Levada Nova" trail from AllTrails is a community route in this area. The walk seems to be a combination that includes:
- Levada Nova (which runs along the hillside above the valley)
- Potentially Levada do Moinho (which runs below Levada Nova)
- The area around Madalena do Mar, Canhas, and the Anjos waterfall
From the blog posts:
- The Levada Nova / Levada do Moinho combination is often done as a loop near Ponta do Sol / Lombada
- The longer route from Madalena do Mar through Canhas and the Levada Nova appears in hiking blogs
- The German blog mentions a walk from Sítio do Pinheiro along Levada Nova towards Barreiro and Canhas
- The route features waterfalls you can walk behind, tunnels, and dramatic gorge sections
- Some sections along the Levada Nova have narrow paths without railings and steep drops - not for those with vertigo
Let me construct a comprehensive answer. Since this is NOT an official PR trail, I need to be clear about that and provide the community/unofficial caveat.
Key details I can extract:
- This is a community/unofficial route, not part of the official IFCN PR trail network
- It passes through Madalena do Mar, follows Levada Nova, goes through Canhas area, and past Anjos (the Cascata dos Anjos waterfall near Ponta do Sol)
- The Levada Nova section has some exposed parts without railings and a tunnel
- The route features waterfalls, including one you can walk behind
- It connects with Levada do Moinho for a circular route
- Near the Sítio do Pinheiro area, there have been landslides affecting the trail
- The cement factory (Parque Industrial de Canhas) creates noise in parts of the route
Since this trail isn't in our official database, I should provide what I know from the community sources while being transparent about its unofficial status.
Let me provide a thorough answer about this route.
How this was derived · 4 steps
Trails near Madalena do MarMap & photos
Official PR trail (IFCN) Community route (AllTrails — not official)
- Levada da Rocha Vermelha Directions
- Levada do Paul II – Um Caminho para todos Directions
- Vereda do Túnel do Cavalo Directions
- Vereda da Lagoa do Vento Directions
- Levada do Alecrim Directions
- Rota da Banana in Madalena do Mar (Banana Route) Directions
- Rota da Banana (Banana Route) Directions
- Arco da Calheta - Sítio do Pinheiro via Levada Nova Directions
- Calheta Circular Route Directions
- RB1: Vereda da Ladeira Directions
- Vereda da Ladeira Directions
- Ponta do Sol - Levada do Moinho Directions
Photos: walkmeguide.com · green = official IFCN PR trail · amber = community route (AllTrails)
Madalena do Mar – Levada Nova – Canhas – Anjos Walk
This is a community-mapped route, not an official IFCN PR trail — it's not part of Madeira's official recommended trail network managed by IFCN (the regional government's forests & nature authority), so it has no official open/closed status and no maintenance or signage guarantee. Check access and conditions locally before going.
Overview
This scenic south-coast route links several picturesque places along the Levada Nova, the irrigation channel that runs above the valley stretching from Ponta do Sol through Canhas and towards Arco da Calheta. The walk combines farmland, deep-green gorges, waterfalls and sea views — one of the more varied levada walks on the island's sunny south side.
The route in brief
| Area | Ponta do Sol / Canhas / Madalena do Mar (southwest coast) |
| Type | Point-to-point or loop (if combined with Levada do Moinho) |
| Community rating | 4.3★ from 163 reviews on AllTrails (Arco da Calheta – Pinheiro variant) |
| Difficulty | Moderate (some exposed sections without railings, one tunnel) |
| Key places | Madalena do Mar → Levada Nova → Canhas → Sítio do Pinheiro → Anjos / Ponta do Sol |
What you'll see along the way
- Madalena do Mar — a small coastal village famous for its banana plantations, one of the largest on the island. The short Rota da Banana loop (1.9 km, easy) is worth a detour if you have extra time (4.5★ on AllTrails).
- Levada Nova — the upper levada carrying water along the hillside, with sweeping views over the valley and ocean. Parts pass through deep, narrow gorges (Ribeira da Madalena, Ribeira da Cova Grande) where the path narrows to roughly 30 cm with no handrail and a vertical drop. Not suitable for anyone with vertigo.
- Waterfall walk-behind — one of the highlights: a section where the trail is carved into the cliff behind a waterfall. Bring a waterproof jacket.
- Tunnel — after the waterfall, the route passes through a roughly 200 m tunnel. Carry a headlamp or charged phone torch.
- Canhas — the levada passes near the concrete works (Parque Industrial de Canhas); some hikers note the industrial noise in this section.
- Sítio do Pinheiro — a tiny, sleepy settlement where time seems to stand still, with just a handful of houses and a bar/minimercado.
- Anjos (Cascata dos Anjos) — a roadside waterfall near Ponta do Sol that you can actually drive under; very popular for photos. Be aware the narrow road here is sometimes closed for safety (falling debris).
Combining with Levada do Moinho (loop option)
Many hikers pair the Levada Nova (upper path) with the Levada do Moinho (lower path) starting from the church of Igreja da Lombada in Ponta do Sol, making an ≈8 km loop of about 3 hours. You walk the lower Levada do Moinho out, climb stairs to the Levada Nova, pass the waterfall and tunnel, and return along the upper path — one of the most rewarding circuits on the south coast.
Practical tips
- Start early to avoid midday sun on exposed sections and to catch the waterfalls at their best.
- Bring: headlamp (for the tunnel), waterproof jacket (for the waterfall spray), sturdy shoes with grip — the path can be muddy and slippery after rain.
- Heights warning: roughly half the Levada Nova section has no railing alongside steep drops. If you're uneasy with heights, stick to the lower Levada do Moinho, which is more sheltered.
- Landslides: the area around Sítio do Pinheiro and Ribeira da Cova Grande has seen landslide damage in the past. Conditions change — check locally before setting out, especially after heavy rain.
- Parking: if starting from Ponta do Sol / Lombada, there's a car park near the church. From Madalena do Mar, park in the village. The walk is not accessible by public transport at the trailhead.
- No entry fee — this is not one of the official IFCN PR trails and does not require a SIMplifica booking.
Nearby official alternatives
If you'd prefer a signposted, officially maintained trail in the same area, the closest ones are:
| Trail | Distance from Madalena do Mar | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| PR 30 – Vereda da Ponta do Sol | ~5 km | Moderate |
| Arco da Calheta – Sítio do Pinheiro via Levada Nova (community route) | Starts ~3 km from Madalena do Mar | Moderate (5.6 km loop, ~2–2.5 h) |
⚠️ Before you go: this is not an official trail, so there's no guaranteed maintenance, signage, or status update. Check current conditions locally — especially after rain, when landslides can block the path. For the latest on all official PR trails, check IFCN's status page.
Would you like me to check the mountain forecast and IPMA weather warnings for the day you're planning to hike, or find nearby official trails as an alternative?
OpenMadeira can make mistakes — check the sources.